North Ayrshire Commonwealth Baton Relay Reaches Arran in Colourful Celebration
- Ayrshire Daily News
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
North Ayrshire Active Schools marked another major milestone in the lead-up to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 this week as the North Ayrshire Commonwealth Baton Relay completed its journey from the mainland to Arran.
The baton arrived on the island on Thursday 28 May following a successful tour of primary and secondary schools across the North Coast and the council’s six localities.
In a memorable moment for pupils and organisers alike, the baton made its crossing aboard the V COAST Explorer research vessel thanks to volunteers from the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) and instructors from Arran Outdoor Education Centre.
Among those onboard was Arran High School S2 pupil Sam, one of the young people involved in designing the specially-created 3D-printed baton alongside North Ayrshire Youth Services. Sam proudly accepted the baton from Fairlie Primary pupils before helping transport it to Arran for the final stage of the relay.
The vessel was welcomed ashore at Largs Marina by North Ayrshire Provost Anthea Dickson and Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Islands.
Pupils from Fairlie Primary School then formally handed over the baton to pupils from Whiting Bay Primary and Arran High School as the relay prepared to continue its tour around Arran’s schools.
The celebration also featured appearances from North Ayrshire Active Schools mascots Improving Izzy and Moving Max, while official Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 mascot Finnie the Unicorn delighted pupils and guests alongside national Commonwealth officials.
Largs Sailing Club hosted a celebratory lunch following the handover event before the baton continues its final tour ahead of a concluding ceremony at Irvine Royal Academy on 18 June.
The baton itself was specially designed by Sam from Arran High School and S1 pupil Kaitlyn from Ardrossan Academy after they won a North Ayrshire-wide design competition which attracted almost 300 entries from pupils across the area in 2025.
Inspired by the official Commonwealth baton, the North Ayrshire version features colourful decorative spheres stamped with icons representing the ten sports taking part in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, including athletics, basketball, bowls, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, judo, netball, swimming and weightlifting.
Provost Anthea Dickson praised the pupils involved and everyone who helped organise the relay.
She said: “Congratulations to Sam and Kaitlyn on winning the North Ayrshire Commonwealth Baton design competition and well done to Sam for braving the waves to accept and transport the baton onwards to Arran.
“The design competition held throughout our primary and secondary schools in 2025 saw just shy of 300 entries, so this is a fantastic achievement by Sam and Kaitlyn who have both been instrumental in highlighting the significance of the Commonwealth Games.
“This has been just one of the many exciting events that have been hosted so far, thank you to everyone who made the celebration this week possible.
“A special shout-out also goes to North Ayrshire Active Schools and PE departments across North Ayrshire who have been raising the profile of the Commonwealth Games and inspiring our pupils through the power of sport and physical activity.”
The relay originally began at Springside Primary School in Dreghorn in November 2025 before travelling through Irvine, Garnock Valley, Kilwinning, the Three Towns and the North Coast.
The event forms part of North Ayrshire’s Playground to Podium campaign, aimed at inspiring young people to become more active and engaged in sport ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Councillor Alan Hill added: “North Ayrshire Council is proud to support the Playground to Podium countdown to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
“Thank you to the pupils, special guests and North Ayrshire Active Schools for their energising welcome to signal the final leg of North Ayrshire’s baton relay tour.
“It is brilliant to see so many young people getting involved in new sports and being inspired to reap the benefits of after school clubs and physical activity in their schools and communities.”
